The Texas Tech football team has an opportunity to knock off a top-10 team this week when Oklahoma comes to Lubbock. So let’s look back at all of the upsets of top-10 teams Texas Tech has pulled off at home in the last two decades.
In the last two decades, the Texas Tech football has become known for knocking off top-10 teams in Lubbock. Fans and players at other schools have come to dread having to play the Red Raiders at Jones Stadium, especially when they come in as huge favorites.
For decades, highly-ranked teams have come to Lubbock only to find more than they bargained for. In fact, the tradition of home upsets began way back in 1936.
That year, TCU came to Lubbock fresh off a national championship season and featuring legendary QB Sammy Baugh. But Tech shut the Frogs out 7-0 in a game that also featured the first ever appearance of the Masked Rider.
When the Southwest Conference era began, higher-caliber teams became to come to Lubbock more regularly. In 1966, the No. 6 Arkansas Razorbacks came to town with an 8-1 record but were stunned 21-16 by a 3-6 Red Raider team.
Another memorable top-10 upset at Jones Stadium came via a Zach Thomas interception return for a touchdown to stun No. 3 Texas A&M in 1995. That game cemented Thomas’ legacy as one of the greatest players in program history and his 4th quarter pick remains one of the most famous plays Southwest Conference history.
So as we prepare for the next visit from a top-10 team, let’s take a closer look at the top-10 upsets the Red Raiders have pulled off at home in the past two decades. Here’s hoping we can add another to this list after tonight..